The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) is a top ranking school, well known for its dedication to science and technology. However, it’s not easy to get accepted. Nearly 27,000 students submitted applications to the school in the 2023 admissions cycle, but only 1,345 were accepted (or 5%). Students applying to MIT need to have a strong application to stand a chance of getting an acceptance letter. Below, we highlight everything you need to know about getting into MIT.
All About MIT
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology is usually referred to as “MIT.” It was founded in 1861 in Cambridge, Massachusetts, with a focus on applied science, engineering, and laboratory work. Today, the school remains committed to technology, science, inventions, and discoveries.
Just some of their contributions have included the development of radar, mapping the human genome project, discovering quarks, and the invention of the GPS. MIT alumni, researchers, and faculty have included Nobel laureates, Turing award winners, MacArthur Fellows, Marshall Scholars, and Fields Medalists.
Here are just some quick facts about MIT in 2025:
- Enrollment: 11,858
- Campus size: 166 acres
- Motto: Mens et Manus – Latin for “Mind and Hand”
- Nickname: Engineers
- Four year graduation rate: 82%
- Student-to-faculty ratio: 3:1
- First year retention rate: 99%
- Top 50 Best Colleges Ranking (2025): #3
- Top undergraduate majors: Computer Science, Mechanical Engineering, Mathematics
MIT alumni have included founders and co-founders or major companies, including Intel, Texas Instruments, and Campbell Soup.
How To Get Into MIT
In the 2023 admissions cycle, 26,704 students applied to MIT. Only 1,345 were accepted, which is a 5% acceptance rate, one of the lowest in the country. Out of those 5%, 88.8% of students decided to attend MIT the following fall.
Getting into MIT is no easy feat. Students need to have an amazing application in order to be considered, and even many of those who have top scores, plenty of extracurriculars, and high ACT/SAT scores will be rejected. There simply isn’t enough space for all of the students who apply each year.
If you’re interested in applying to MIT, here are some ways that could get you in the running for an acceptance letter:
1. High GPA and Academic Rigor
Although MIT publishes their Common Data Set each year, they don’t report accepted students’ high school grades. Their website states that there’s no “minimum required GPA, but competitive applicants tend to have a 3.5 unweighted GPA or higher.
However, it’s not enough just to have a 4.0 unweighted GPA. You also need to consider your weighted GPA, which takes academic rigor into account. Academic rigor refers to the difficulty of the course and a student’s schedule. The more difficult the class the more it’s worth towards your weighted GPA. Students should aim for a 4.1 weighted GPA or higher in order to have a competitive MIT application.
When scheduling high school classes, choose courses that are challenging, such as AP or dual credit courses. MIT, with its focus on technology and science, wants to see students pursuing those subjects at an advanced level.
In their 2023-24 Common Data Set, MIT states that both “rigor of secondary school record” and “academic GPA” are important. Class rank is less so, but it’s still considered.
2. Strong ACT or SAT Score
MIT requires all students to submit their ACT or SAT results – some even submit both. To increase your chances of getting accepted, you need strong scores in either or.
When creating goals for your ACT/SAT, look between the 25th and 75th percentile scores. This it the middle 50% of admitted students, meaning a majority of those who are accepted will be between those two scores. We highlighted these percentiles for both tests below.
In the recent admissions cycle, accepted MIT students usually had an ACT composite score between 34 and a 36, a perfect score. English was similar, but Math was more competitive (between 35 and 36).
On the SAT, the average accepted student had a combined score between 1,510 and 1,590. Math was usually between 780 and 800, while Reading/Writing was from 740 to 790.
However, keep in mind that a score below a 34 on the ACT or a 1510 on the SAT doesn’t mean you’re out of the running for MIT. According to MIT’s 2023-24 Common Data Set, 1.5% of accepted students actually had between a 24 and 29 on the ACT, so plenty were accepted if they had above a 30. On the SAT, almost all accepted students had a score above 1400, but 0.8% had between 1200 and 1399.
In addition, MIT will accept Superscores, which take the best results out of your exams’ sections if you took the test multiple times.
3. Character
MIT states that the most important factor in an application is the student’s character and personal qualities. They want applicants who align with their mission, enjoy working with others, show initiative, have fun outside of their work and research, and aren’t afraid to take risks. Accepted students also tend to be curious, creative, passionate, thoughtful, kind, and responsible.
4. Extracurriculars and Volunteer Work
Students applying to MIT should highlight their extracurriculars, contributions to their community, and volunteer work. However, the school only asks for four activities at most – the ones that mean the most to you. MIT’s website explains that there isn’t any right answer. They want you to be honest about your interests and about what makes you you.
5. Interview
Some students might be selected for an interview when they apply to MIT, usually between October and January depending on when you applied. These can be held in person (preferred, but you don’t have to go to the MIT campus – someone will meet you locally) or online.
If selected, you’ll meet with a member of the MIT Educational Council. Interviews tend to be around an hour long, but can range anywhere from 30 minutes to two hours. As other aspects of their application, MIT stresses to be yourself during the interview.
College interviews can be stressful and it can be difficult to come up with answers on the fly. If you’re selected for one with MIT, it’s important to prepare. Schedule mock interviews with your family, a friend, or your academic advisor. These can help you understand the questions you may be asked, give you time to think about your answers, and reduce anxiety.
6. Deadlines
Of course, you’re likely not going to be accepted to MIT if you don’t get your application in on time! This college accepts applications for both Early Action and Regular Action (commonly known as Regular Decision).
Early Action applicants need to submit all of their materials by November 1. MIT accepts SAT/ACT scores from November testing dates. You’ll hear back in mid-December.
Regular Action is due on January 6. December is the latest a student can take the SAT/ACT. You’ll receive an update about your admission in mid-March.
All students have to send in updates in February, including grades, and if accepted, submit their decision by May 1.
Financial aid information needs to be received by February 15.
7. Essay
Almost all college applications require an essay, and MIT is no exception. However, instead of a long essay, you’ll instead be asked to submit short answers to each of their questions. Each answer should be between 100 to 200 words.
Here’s a look at the MIT questions for 2024-2025:
- What field of study appeals to you the most right now? (Note: Applicants select from a drop-down list.) Tell us more about why this field of study at MIT appeals to you.
- We know you lead a busy life, full of activities, many of which are required of you. Tell us about something you do simply for the pleasure of it.
- While some reach their goals following well-trodden paths, others blaze their own trails achieving the unexpected. In what ways have you done something different than what was expected in your educational journey?
- MIT brings people with diverse backgrounds together to collaborate, from tackling the world’s biggest challenges to lending a helping hand. Describe one way you have collaborated with others to learn from them, with them, or contribute to your community together.
- How did you manage a situation or challenge that you didn’t expect? What did you learn from it?
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8. Additional Information You Think the School Should Know About You
It’s very important to take considerable time on your responses. Since you know the questions in advance, you don’t have to answer them all at once. Take time to brainstorm each answer and write rough drafts of your responses. If you’re not sure what to write about, talk to family, friends, and teachers for ideas.
Once you’re happy with your responses, proofread and edit. Ask someone else to look it over for you. The last thing you want to see is an error that could affect your admission chances after you’ve hit that submit button!
Remember: MIT wants you to be yourself. Try to highlight that in your work and responses. Answer the questions honestly – they’re not tricks.
9. Other Factors
Other components of your application, your high school career, and your interests can impact your MIT acceptance chances. Here are a few to keep in mind:
- Contact information: Make sure your email, phone number, and address are all correct, or you might miss out on your acceptance letter.
- Letters of recommendation: MIT wants two – one from a math or science teacher and another from a humanities, language, or social science teacher.
- High school transcripts: They also want your Secondary School Report (SSR).
- Work: MIT has a section in their application where you can highlight your work experience.
According to MIT’s 2023-24 CDS, the school also considers an applicant’s talent, ability, geographical residence, first generation status, and racial/ethnic status. They don’t take alumni relation, religious affiliation, state residency, or the level of the applicant’s interest into account.
Getting into MIT isn’t easy. It takes years of work and dedication, and even then, with a 5% acceptance rate, most students who meet or even exceed the “averages” aren’t accepted. However, to improve your acceptance chances to MIT, it’s important to showcase your character, provide thoughtful essay responses, have academic rigor and high grades, and be honest about yourself, your goals, and your passions.
Want to learn more about MIT and how likely you are to receive an acceptance letter? College Match provides detailed information about each college in the United States, including MIT. See how you compare to accepted students here.